4 Steps To Acing The Online Job Search

June 25, 2013

The Internet has transformed the way people look for jobs. Instead of circling wanted ads in the newspaper, job seekers are taking to online job boards and social media to find their next career. The online job search has its advantages, but it can also be intimidating to the uninitiated.

It’s not wise to rely on one method to look for work but, even so, you will find that majority of your job search will be done via the Internet. You will need to learn the fundamentals of the online job search or else you risk being overwhelmed by the amount of information at your disposal. The first thing you should do is create a plain-text version of your resume that you can submit to resume databases. This will allow recruiters to find you before you even start applying for jobs. The reason it needs to be in a plain-text format is because it’s possible your resume won’t upload properly if it includes fancy fonts or other bells and whistles.

Here are three other tips to help your online job search:

Keywords: Make ample use of keywords, taken from the job description, to include in your resume. Many employers make use of applicant tracking systems which filter out applications if they don’t contain those keywords. Make sure to include them in relevant places; don’t just randomly copy and paste them into the document.

Social Media: If you already have a presence on pages like Facebook and Twitter, make sure they are professional. Employers like to research potential candidates before interviews, so you don’t want them to see anything that would embarrass you.

Optimize Your Search: Most job boards have filters that will narrow your search results by title, experience level, location, and more. It’s important to use these because otherwise you will have to sift through potentially irrelevant jobs before you can find the ones that most suit your skills.